Abu Dhabi has approved the use of three new Covid-19 tests that can be used to screen people in emergency rooms at hospitals and urgent care centres.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi said the new tests give faster results and will help physicians provide better care.
In the antigen test, a sample of mucus is collected from the back of a person's throat or nose using a swab. The sample is tested for the virus. It gives results in 20 minutes.
Antigen tests are said to be faster than the polymerase chain reaction test, or PCR.
The second test, Reverse-transcription LAMP (RT-LAMP), gives results in one hour and has been used to detect Covid-19 in several countries.
Saliva tests have also been approved for use in children and in cases where a more invasive and uncomfortable nasal swab is not possible.
The saliva test was approved in Dubai in November 2020. Dubai Health Authority facilities and Covid-19 screening centres offer the test for children aged 3 to 16.
“We have approved a new set of diagnostic tests of Covid-19 that are based on global updates and the latest scientific developments in the detection of the virus to be used in emergency departments across the emirate,” said Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, undersecretary of the authority.
Several other Covid-19 tests are currently available across the UAE.
These include the standard nasal swab PCR test, the laser DPI test, which scans the blood for signs the body is fighting a virus, the LamPORE test, designed to test both saliva and swab RNA samples.
There is also a serology test, which scans for Covid-19 antibodies and can tell whether someone has had the virus and has any immunity to it.
The PCR test is currently being provided at 24 healthcare centres and laboratories as well as in eight drive-through test centres across Abu Dhabi.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
